The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on April 19 estimated that Songkran celebrations have seen about 18.5 billion THB (537 million USD) in spending by revellers across the country.
Thai health officials nationwide have been ordered to watch for new COVID-19 outbreaks and prepare medication and equipment for inpatients, in the wake of Songkran festivities.
The traditional New Year festivals of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar - Bunpimay, Songkran, Chol Chhnam Thmay, and Thingyang - were celebrated at a ceremony at Pho Minh Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City on April 14.
As normal life has returned post COVID-19 outbreak, Thailand’s Bangkok is ready to celebrate a bright and colourful Songkran festival which runs from April 13 to 17 this year.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will implement safety measures and designate alcohol-free areas in the capital to minimise road accidents and ensure public safety during the upcoming Songkran festival.
Thai anti-narcotics police have seized large quantities of drugs and arrested 15 suspects in operations in northern and northeastern provinces between March 28 and April 4.
Thai people are likely to spend more in the upcoming Songkran festival, with the Airports of Thailand (AOT) expecting a surge in the number of passengers on the occasion.
The Thai government will fully support this year's Songkran Festival, which takes place from April 13-15, with 17 – 20 million people expected to travel around the country next month.
Massive Songkran festival will be held across Thailand in April to further stimulate the resurgent tourism industry, Thai government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said on March 26.
About half the population of Thailand has now acquired immunity against COVID-19 but this remains well short of the government's 80 percent target, according to the country’s Department of Disease Control (DoDC).
There were 1,917 traffic accidents in Thailand, killing 278 people and injuring1,869 others, during the seven days of the government's road safety campaign for the Songkran festival from April 11 to 17, Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, the country’s deputy interior permanent secretary, said on April 18.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (CDC) has urged more than 2 million elderly people to get COVID-19 shots before the Songkran festival as infections may soar during the festive period.
COVID-19 daily caseloads in Thailand may top 100,000 by the Songkran festival in the middle of March in the worst-case scenario, according to the country’s Department of Disease Control (DDC).
A total of 277 people were killed and 2,357 injured in more than 2,300 road accidents during the Songkran holiday this year, according to official data.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to cancel all activities celebrating the traditional New Year festival, Songkran, in all districts of the province in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that Thailand is in talks for travel bubbles with several countries.
Malaysia is to issue a smart vaccination certificate to people in the country who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
Millions of people returned to work in the Philippines’s Manila capital on June 1 as one of the world's strictest and longest COVID-19 lockdowns was eased to help resuscitate the economy.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on April 10 called on people to stay at home during the traditional Songkran festival to curb the spread of COVID-19.